"It ain't going to change me," Vick said Wednesday. "I still feel like I'm one of the best."

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Feeling it at this voluntary camp has everything to do with winning the starting job for Vick, who no longer can live off an NFL career spanning 12 years and a 56-44-1 record as a starter (.559).

New Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said the starting job is wide open. Right now the battle is among Vick, Nick Foles, Dennis Dixon and G.J. Kinne. Vick and Foles are dividing most of the first-team snaps.

Vick is 18-17 with the Eagles, including the playoffs. But he's won just 10 of his last 25 starts, is coming off a concussion-marred season and had such little value the Eagles were unable to trade him.

Vick took a pay cut to remain with the Eagles. It was partly out of loyalty to the franchise that gave him a chance to rehabilitate following his stint in federal prison for operating a dogfighting ring. It was also partly because, well, Vick still felt the Eagles wanted him.

So here he is, two months shy of his 33rd birthday, humbled to get a chance to see if he can function in Kelly's read option offense.

"It's like starting all over again," Vick said. "The competition is great. Every day I think it pushes you. I think it makes you better. I know I can certainly find the good and the positive and most importantly get the most out of myself. The great ones have to be able to do that. There's competition every day and every Sunday, and this is good for our preparation for that."

Vick completed just 58.1 percent of his attempts for 12 touchdowns with 10 interceptions last season.

In Vick's last 23 games he has 31 turnovers, including 24 interceptions.

To Kelly, 49, age is just a number. The rookie NFL head coach is convinced Vick has something left in the tank, dismissing the challenge of teaching an old quarterback new things.

"The first time I met Michael and just got a chance to visit with him and watching him on the field and what he's been like in the classroom is Michael just wants to win, and Michael just wants to get better," Kelly said. "So I think sometimes the age thing is overblown. I know in his situation it's overblown. He's thirsty for knowledge. He's here early every day, wants to learn in the classroom. He's always asking questions. I think sometimes people want to stereotype and say as they get older, they're not as receptive. But I think that's a personal decision in terms of where you are. I'm older than Michael and I'm always trying to learn. I can learn from him, he can learn from me. He's fantastic. He's been great."

The reality is Vick might not have enough to prevent Kelly and general manager Howie Roseman from going in another direction at quarterback.

Thus all Vick can do right now as he learns the system is to carry himself well, set the right example and learn.

"I'm still looking at it like it's still my team, still my job," Vick said. "I think that's the mindset that you've got to have. I believe in myself and my abilities and I believe in the guys on this football team. I'm just excited that I'm back in Philadelphia for another year and we have an opportunity to do some great things.

"We're all playing for jobs each and every day. Nothing is set in stone or concrete. We all have to earn our respect in this league. We all have to earn our jobs. It's not only Sundays but like Coach Kelly said, you have to win every day."

Vick calls the Kelly offense "very dynamic." He likes the fast tempo and the numerous options it provides the quarterback.

Physically Vick is easily the quickest of the quarterbacks. But at 6-0, 215 pounds, he definitely will have a tougher time holding up in the option form of the offense than the other Eagles quarterbacks, who all are bigger.

"The thing is, you don't have to take the hit," said Vick. "You'll understand why when you see us practice or see us play. You don't even have to take a hit."

The previous regime was unable to convey much of a safety factor to Vick. Perhaps it was the offense leaving him exposed.

When Vick figures out how to protect himself, the sky is the limit. For now, Kelly believes there's a chance that could happen.